Whispering Gale Ascension
In the wind-scoured village of Searing Sand, clinging to the precipice of the colossal Vermilion Scar, life is dictated by mastery of Ryu – an inner essence akin to elemental power. For fifteen-year-old Kaito, however, this vital force remains stubbornly dormant, setting him apart in a society where wielding Ryu is key to survival in the harsh ochre landscape.
The annual Ryu Awakening Ceremony arrives, a pivotal moment where youths manifest their elemental affinities – most commonly the fire that defines their village. But as his peers display nascent control over fire, earth, wind, and even rarer elements, Kaito faces a frustrating emptiness. Whispers of "Ryu-deficient" follow him, amplifying his feelings of being an outsider.
Yet, just as hope dwindles, a faint sensation stirs within him – a subtle whisper akin to the ever-present wind that carves their canyon home. Unlike the expected roaring flames or steadfast earth, Kaito discovers a connection to the very essence of the desert air, manifesting in a small, fleeting whirlwind.